Everything we know so far after car drives into crowd at street festival in Vancouver killing nine people
Topics: Canada, Crime, World News, Police
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: DON MACKINNON/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Canada, Crime, World News, Police
Police have given an update on a 'mass casualty incident' that occurred in Vancouver, Canada, last night.
People took to the streets to celebrate Lapu Lapu Festival yesterday (April 26), but what was supposed to be a fun affair ended in tragedy after a man driving an SUV mowed several festival-goers down.
The festival is a Filipino celebration of Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous Visayan Chieftain from Mactan, Philippines.
Vancouver Police Department said in a social media post: "A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. [last night]. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds."
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At the time of writing, police have confirmed that nine people have sadly died in the incident following initial reports of there being a 'number of people' killed.
"As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival," law enforcement said. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident."
Police have not yet confirmed how many people were injured.
A 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene last night. He is believed to have been 'known to police' beforehand.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement said that they do not believe it was an act of terrorism.
James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner, was at the event and heard a car rev its engine and then 'a loud noise, like a loud bang' that he initially thought might be a gunshot.
“We saw people on the road crying, others were like running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help,” he said, as per PA. “We tried to go there just to check what was really actually happening until we found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, others injured.
“It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking.
“I couldn’t even imagine that it’s actually happening in real life, because normally we see that on TVs or movies. But when you are in that kind situation, it was really shocking. Like, you couldn’t think really, really well. You couldn’t do anything but to pray for them.”
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck who was also at the scene, suspected that the driver hit speeds of 100km/h (62mph).
"I think he was going for maximum damage," he continued to tell the BBC. "I just saw bodies underneath people's food trucks, and husbands crying out for their wife, or their kids, it was just horrible."
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